- 11 hours ago
How much better do you believe the Lions will be in the 2026 season?
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00:00That's really human development right there, Rico.
00:03Jeremy Otto, we put him through the ringer, and now?
00:06Well, you broke him.
00:07He's like one of those ice-breaking ships.
00:09He just full steam ahead.
00:11You broke him that one day, and he's bounced back more resilient than ever.
00:15So the opposite of Jalen Duren.
00:17Cool.
00:18We'll get to that at three.
00:23Jalen Duren, questionable for game four, pregnant with Wendell Carter's baby.
00:28We'll get to it.
00:30I can't wait for people to tell me they still want to max this guy out.
00:32You want to start with the Lions draft?
00:35What?
00:36Yeah.
00:37I'm just laughing.
00:38Gave a damn update on every other injury.
00:40Oh, Kevin Herter's got the poops.
00:42Who cares about Kevin Herter?
00:44If you're offering Red Mamba injury updates, you know you're in trouble.
00:48I was waiting for the Angel re-sub.
00:50Nope.
00:50That's different.
00:52That crosses the line.
00:53We're not doing that.
00:54Wait, that crosses the line?
00:56Wendell Carter's been sexing up, J.D.
01:00That's kind of the deal.
01:01If they went on Maury Povich, Wendell, you are the five.
01:06Come on, man.
01:07He's given J.D. the business now.
01:09We're three games into a series.
01:10You can say it.
01:11No, I remember at the beginning of the series and people got it.
01:14When I said that, look, they have probably five out of the best six players and people were
01:20like, you put Wendell Carter over J.D.
01:22Yeah.
01:23The way he's playing right now, yes.
01:25On paper, no.
01:26But like, look, we'll get to it.
01:28Yeah.
01:28I just.
01:30There's so much to unpack with that game, but I know we got to get the Lions out of the
01:33way.
01:34Yes.
01:35Because apparently, hey, Brad Holmes said, hey, are you guys happy?
01:40I listened to you.
01:41I went out and drafted your edge rusher.
01:43You should be happy.
01:44I kind of feel like Larry David.
01:46Yeah.
01:48I mean, not against Derrick Moore.
01:51I don't really care about Derrick Moore.
01:53Derrick Moore, if he gets to face Michigan State, fabulous.
01:56Derrick Moore against people with functioning limbs.
01:59Ohio State, a little different.
02:00Not fabulous.
02:01Doesn't mean his career won't be good.
02:04I don't stress about moving up to get him because whatever.
02:08They needed an O-lineman.
02:10They got one.
02:10They needed an edge.
02:12They got one.
02:13They needed a corner.
02:15And they got one.
02:15And they got one.
02:16And listen, if you listen to the morning show, they just drafted Dick Butkus out of
02:21U of M.
02:24Oh, yeah, the linebacker.
02:26I mean, cookies had to put down like a pee pad for a puppy.
02:32Things got a little messy in here early.
02:34I mean, John started talking about Jimmy Rolder.
02:36And you were, it was just like, whoa, boy, look out.
02:39Clean up on Isle Jansen.
02:43So, look, I, here's my thing.
02:46I'm not going to do some grade.
02:48You, you, me and you were the same.
02:50What's a grade?
02:52I just feel like they're the same as they entered the offseason.
02:56They lost some people.
02:58They got some people.
03:00They are with, I thought they were a 10 win team last year.
03:03I think they're a 10 win team this year.
03:05Am I crazy to come out of an offseason feeling that way?
03:08No, true grades.
03:09Look, true grades come out two years from now.
03:12We can go back and look at the past drafts and say that draft two years ago,
03:17maybe not as good as we thought.
03:19Yeah.
03:19The draft last year is still questionable,
03:21but it doesn't look like it's going to be that great.
03:23This one, see me in a couple of years, you went in there and I saw the Lions
03:29finally said, how about we just do the smart thing?
03:32Let's just go out and get positions of needs that we need.
03:35They got an offensive tackle.
03:36How dare you?
03:37I know.
03:38How dare you?
03:39We take BPA.
03:40I know.
03:41They took an offensive tackle.
03:43Wasn't the guy I wanted, but you know what?
03:45You addressed the need.
03:47They took an edge rusher, not the guy that I wanted.
03:49And it wasn't because he went to Michigan.
03:51It's just, it wasn't the guy I wanted.
03:53Sparty.
03:53But you know what?
03:54You got a need.
03:55Zion Young went to the very next pick.
03:58I'm like, oh, okay.
03:59You took Derek Moore?
04:01Sure.
04:01You went out.
04:02You got a corner.
04:03You got a linebacker.
04:04You did what you're supposed to.
04:06To me, you finally went out there and I didn't see a bunch of projects.
04:14I didn't see guys that give us a few years with them in the lab and they'll show up.
04:19I saw guys.
04:20I saw depth.
04:22That's what I saw in this draft.
04:23You and I don't got people who may not be starters, but if you need them for a week or
04:28two or three,
04:29they can fill in and give you some depth so that we're not looking at the legion of home,
04:34that you actually have people here that you've drafted that can get better.
04:39That's how I saw this.
04:40I think the interesting thing, too, maybe it's an admission they're feeling the heat.
04:45For them to move away from their strategy and quit with the smartest guy stuff.
04:50No, we need an offensive lineman.
04:52No, we need an edge.
04:54These are needs.
04:55These are real needs.
04:57So maybe Brad in some way, like I'll ignore the press conference thing.
05:00I don't care.
05:01He thinks he's sweet.
05:02That's fine.
05:02You know what?
05:03Nobody loves themselves like Brad.
05:05I'll just keep checking your Lombardi update desk.
05:09You keep doing your Johnny Carson thing at the press conferences.
05:12We'll just grade you on what happens on or off the field.
05:14You haven't won a playoff game in two years.
05:15Might want to save the JKs.
05:18Okay?
05:18The point is, they're drafted needs.
05:21I think these guys understand.
05:23Like, the honeymoon's over.
05:26You missed the playoffs this year, it is going to be a decidedly different conversation.
05:30And you'll have all the time in the world to play dress up or tell jokes.
05:33You just won't be doing it in the NFL.
05:35So, I'm fine with what they did.
05:37But the question remains, do you believe, after an off-season of free agency and trades
05:42and draft, do you believe the Lions are substantially better?
05:46I do not.
05:47I already thought they were good.
05:49I do not think they've crossed the rainbow bridge to great.
05:52I think they're a good, solid, contending playoff team.
05:56I do not view them as a Super Bowl team.
05:59But it's up to you.
06:01You tell me, guys.
06:03I can both say the draft was totally acceptable, but I don't have to do a cartwheel.
06:09Free agency, I hated.
06:10I loved it.
06:11I thought the free agency period was terrible.
06:14You put those two things together, we get a little bit of injury luck, we get a few of
06:18our people back.
06:19I think you're the same team.
06:22So, you tell me.
06:23Tell me if I'm unfair.
06:25Let's start the week that way.
06:26Start Derby week by telling me I'm an unfair person.
06:29Yes, Derby week.
06:30Wow, May got here quickly.
06:32No, it's a fair, Mike, it's fair.
06:35I expected a little bit more out of the draft because your free agency was lacking.
06:40So, I thought, okay, this is your wheelhouse, not necessarily trades or free agency.
06:45You're going to really wow us and get that pick.
06:48It didn't wow, but they didn't shoot themselves in the foot either, at least as of now.
06:53Now, you went out there and you got two guys in your first two picks that I think you will
06:59see in the starting lineup.
07:00Everyday starters.
07:01Yeah.
07:01So, and then after that, you went out there and you got players that I think will see
07:06the field in some way or another.
07:08So, there's no, well, give us some time, we'll put them on the practice squad.
07:13No.
07:13No, no, no.
07:14You got guys that I think that this may be one of those drafts, Mike, that pretty much
07:19everybody will make the team in some point.
07:21You maybe have a few on the practice squad, but you need everybody that you drafted.
07:26And I was fine moving a couple of picks because I don't think nine rookies were going to make
07:30the team, to your point.
07:31So, I move a couple, I get somebody I want.
07:34Again, I know it's a wide receiver, so people are going to freak out.
07:37I know.
07:38I didn't freak out.
07:39It was funny to me because I'm like, and of course, you just can't help yourself.
07:43Where are you going to put this one?
07:45Where are you going to put them?
07:46Where are you going to play them?
07:47You moved up to get your fifth, sixth receiver?
07:49We'll figure it out.
07:50I don't know.
07:52I just, I'd like to know what line fans think because ultimately, your moves are done now.
07:58I mean, you can sell a fantasy that you're going to improve greatly now between now and
08:03what?
08:04Training camp?
08:05What are you going to do?
08:06You're going to sign Mean Joe Green?
08:08Is he available in free agency?
08:09So, I just, I'm not going to do that.
08:11And look, the players that are available are available largely for a reason.
08:15They're highly flawed.
08:18So, you might be able to add somebody, but I, come on.
08:21I'm not going to sit here and act like anyone you sign between now and then is going to
08:25make a two game differential in what you are.
08:27The cap casualty.
08:28Maybe that's what you're waiting for.
08:30Right before the training camps ends and they cut loose those veterans that are making too
08:35much money.
08:36Yeah.
08:37You're right.
08:37I don't see that.
08:38But no, look, I'm good on the Derek Moore thing.
08:40My one concern was, look, it's what we talked about.
08:42It's factual.
08:42You can go look at it.
08:43It's not making it up.
08:45But preponderance of his statistics came against garbage.
08:47He faced real teams.
08:49He ghosted out.
08:51Now, look, that doesn't mean that'll happen in the pros.
08:53He's going to play opposite Aiden.
08:55And you'd like to believe he will get better.
08:58But that is a bit of a red flag, guys.
09:00Like, oh, you played able-bodied humans and you weren't good.
09:03Might be an issue.
09:05I don't care where he went to school.
09:07Once you put on a lion's helmet, nothing else matters to me.
09:09I want to win.
09:10Right.
09:10But, yeah, do I think all of a sudden I'm coming on the air
09:14with the double-digit disco and 13 wins?
09:16No, I'm not doing that.
09:17Kenny, where are you at?
09:18You look sad.
09:19You just don't look happy to see.
09:21I just, I'm very underwhelmed, not in a bad way or in a good way,
09:26but more just you can't convince me to be excitable
09:29or to be depressed about this draft or to be upset.
09:32I can't summon emotion based on a draft that I don't think anybody
09:36really cared about.
09:37This seemed like the lowest key draft in the last, call it, decade.
09:42Maybe that's a good thing.
09:44Maybe it was just low-key because it was straightforward.
09:47It was simple.
09:48They drafted needs, right?
09:50We're not on the air today freaking out about three picks for Tesla
09:54when you needed X, Y, and Z.
09:55To Rico's point, he's right.
09:57He's been right the whole effing time.
09:58I hate saying that, but it's true.
10:00They need depth.
10:01No, it's true, though, Rico.
10:03Yeah.
10:03They got a linebacker for depth.
10:04They got a corner, Abney, out of Arizona State for depth.
10:08But I don't get hung up in individual names.
10:13They drafted the position groups that made sense.
10:16I don't have criticism, but I also don't have a ticker tape.
10:19I'm with Rico on this.
10:21I mean, Brad strutted in like Vince McMahon for doing what?
10:25Your effing job?
10:27The fact that you were responding to a narrative of how you refused to draft an edge rusher
10:33because it was years you didn't, the same years you didn't win a playoff game?
10:40Yeah, I don't know how sweet that is.
10:43But do you, man?
10:45I don't care.
10:46Play dress up, crack jokes, do whatever you want.
10:49I have as many Lombardis as you have.
10:52That's not a compliment.
10:54Bro, I thought it was weird when he was just joking and asking like,
10:59yeah, I guess I did what you guys wanted or something like that.
11:02And I'm like, or you just tried to help your team out because it was needed.
11:07Right.
11:07Or you did what was best for your football team.
11:09I don't know.
11:10Crazy.
11:10Right.
11:10You drafted him out of spite.
11:12Like, yeah, I guess I got to take an edge.
11:15Or you wanted the player and it's okay.
11:17Yeah.
11:18But it's like, he didn't want to admit that people were right.
11:22It's like, nobody cares if you're right or wrong.
11:24They just want to see an edge rusher outside opposite of Aiden.
11:27It's not hard to do.
11:29And you showed.
11:30Wasn't that hard.
11:31We'll get to the Pistons at three.
11:32We wanted to give the Lions the open, get it done, get it out of the way,
11:36get your guys' opinion.
11:37And then, yeah, the Pistons in game four are going to carry the mail today.
11:41And I'd like to think we did a good job Friday telling you why we were nervous about Saturday.
11:45And, hey, newsflash, remember I said Vegas doesn't do discounts.
11:48That two and a half was five alarm bells.
11:51I'd like to know where our resident economist is as he economized his balls
11:57because he got them lopped off at the sports book.
11:59If you heard it Friday, oh, we had somebody call in tell they were an economist
12:03and they're laying the wood on the Pistons.
12:05That's nice.
12:05You paying your rent this month?
12:10I thought maybe, maybe.
12:11In honor of Derby Week, we had a caller gelded.
12:14Well, I thought maybe when the Pistons got up one, like, okay,
12:19this guy may actually pull this.
12:20Nope.
12:21Nope.
12:21No.
12:22You know, when Ben Carroll shoots the YOLO three and it bounces straight up
12:27and then right into the, that ain't your night, buddy.
12:29Uh-oh.
12:302-4-8-5-3-9-97-97.
12:33Let's talk Lions for a little bit.
12:35Do you believe they are materially better in a big way than the day the season ended?
12:41Look, if they're better, it's because they'll get healthy.
12:44I don't think anything they did in free agency or the draft moved the needle.
12:48I think they did some acceptable things.
12:51But overall, I thought they were about a 10-win team last year.
12:55Injuries held you back.
12:56I think you're about a 10-win team this year.
12:58But what do you think?
12:59If you think it was fabulous, you loved the offseason, say it with your chest, man.
13:03Don't be a Piston fan.
13:06Don't cry when it hurts.
13:08Say it with your chest.
13:09You believe this team is fantastic and a Super Bowl favorite?
13:13Damn it.
13:13Here's your phone line.
13:15Do the business.
13:16No cat enthusiasts.
13:17No, I just, I can't stand that where it's like people are only chatty when things are going well.
13:21No, it's okay to shred your team.
13:23It's okay to be passionate.
13:25Well.
13:25Because I know some Lions, it was greatest draft ever.
13:29Like, did we watch the same thing?
13:31Well, you could present the evidence as to why you believe that, but it wouldn't matter what they did.
13:36I'm not saying anyone had the greatest draft ever.
13:39Because I, like you, I can only grade it on, did you address needs?
13:43Maybe you picked a player I happen to like.
13:46I'm not knocking any player the Lions drafted.
13:49I don't dislike any.
13:51I don't know Blake Miller from a hole in the wall and Derek Moore we watched every Saturday.
13:55The one knock is milk carton against good teams.
13:59Doesn't mean he won't be good.
14:00I'm saying it's a concern.
14:02I'm not mad they took him.
14:03I'm good with it.
14:05Beyond that, you address needs.
14:09And that's all I asked you to do for years instead of what you've been doing.
14:14Here's Rico.
14:14He's doing his basement.
14:15Go ahead.
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